What Do I Do About a Plugged Milk Duct?

Get a hospital grade pump. You can rent one for a relatively cheap price. I had to do this with both of my kids. It helped a ton. Good Luck.

Tea Bags... Put a hot (as hot as you can stand) tea bag on the area of the clogged duct and after a little while (like 15 min or so) Feed the baby. It cleared mine up right away! So just keep some handy and it'll help!

Yikes! Clogged ducts are the worst! I got clog after clog after clog for a few months! The only thing that really worked for me is to either squeeze my nipple really hard (Like popping a zit, to pop the clog out). If that didn't work, I would get a needle and poke at any white spots that weren't letting milk out. It was slightly painful, but compared to the pain of the clog, it was a relief! Then I would rub the clog and massage the milk out. Good luck!! I hope this works.

Hi. This remedy may sound really weird but I assure you it works and was actually advice given to me by our local (Singapore) breastfeeding mother's association: Get your husband to give the plugged breast a good suck until he notices the difference in the flow (from little milk flow with the blocked ducts to a lot with the unplugged ducts). Sometimes, I needed him to help unplug the ducts for sucessive feeds/expressions (I still don't understand how they clogged up so quickly after clearing). But three successive clearings managed to unplug them for whole weeks at a stretch!
About me: I am a mum to an almost 8 month boy. I couldn't get the hang of breastfeeding but managed to pump about 80-90% of all his feeds for 6 months.

Le Leche League in Denver should be able to help you. www.llli.org/ Also the book The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding was my bf bible. After having my second child I developed plugged ducts too, but two of my plugged ducts led to nasty breast infections. (Which I have heard is not too uncommon.) One of the things my obgyn recommended was (often) soaking the breast in warm salt water-- I set a clean dish tub on table that I could then lean over in a slightly higher chair. Eventually my doctor had to lance the infection so that it would drain. ... extreme, I know, but once the infection set in it was so incredibly painful-- especially when she latched on! (But I wasn't going to give up-- I knew that breatfeeding was the best thing in the world for my baby and I.)

Also I really think my plugged ducts had to do with the way my daughter was latching on. She was not getting enough of the breast in her mouth. A nurse told me to break her suction each time she latched incorrectly and physically help her get more nipple into her mouth. Altering breasts at each feeding also insured that not one breast was going to outproduce the other. The beauty of milk production is that which ever breast your baby feeds from is going to produce more milk. So altering is very important at each feeding. Also, ask the Le Leche L about tweaking your diet. You may be eating a food that is contributing to the plugged ducts. Hope this helps!

From the time my baby was about 2-weeks old, she would only nurse on one breast per feeding, no matter how many times I offered both so that's how it ended up for the entire time I nursed her (13 months). I ended up with clogged ducts several times. I found that this helped: moist heat for about 10 minutes before nursing, aiming my baby's nose towards the blocked duct (sometimes this required some interesting positions for us) and massaging towards the nipple as she ate. Then if that didn't help right away, I would hand pump following the same procedure of heat and massage (I never had an electric pump and my manual pump wasn't great) between feedings. And since she was a "one breast only" feeder, when I did have a clogged duct, I would always start on that side until my milk let down and would let her nurse for just a couple of minutes after and then switch her if the other breast was full.

And watch out for signs of mastitis (breast infection). I had one case of infection because I couldn't clear the clog and if not treated promptly can turn ugly really quick.

Hi A.,
I had the exact same problem! I ended up pumping from the breast I didn't feed on. This solved the problem and I had extra milk for other times. It was nice when I weaned, because even after I was done, my daughter still had breast milk for a while, because I froze what I pumped. Pumping seems kind of annoying at first, but once you get into a routine, it's pretty easy. If you get really coordinated, you can even do it while you feed on the other breast! Good luck! There is nothing more painful and uncomfortable than plugged milk ducts!

I've had this happen periodically too and I know that the moist heat & massaging doesn't help much, at least in my case. So 2 things that worked for me. 1. Lay baby down flat and dangle boob over him in the 69 position (sorry for being graphic) the different suck position w/ gravity pull worked. 2. Look at your nipple & see if you can see a small white speck/dot. Sterilize a needle and poke/scratch at it lightly to see if it comes off. This worked perfectly for me last time and a little piece like a grain of salt or sand popped right out/off and we were good to go.

I had this problem last week and it was frustrating!! This is what worked for me: I massaged my breast while pupming and tried a different position when feeding on that breast. It was near impossible for me to massage while feeding her, so massage while pumping really helped. Taking a warm shower before trying this helped speed up the let down. Good luck!!

Oh, and the epson salt technique mentioned in an earlier post helped me tremendously with engorgement back when I started breastfeeding, so I might try that, too.

do you have a pump? i got them a lot with my first baby...always in the same spot on the same side. until it went away, i fed exclusively on that side and pumped the other...as time comsuming as this was it worked. hot baths are effective too. since it is hard to get sometimes to massage your own breast because of the angle and the pain, i would have my husband massage it out and this would also unclog it. good luck!

Hi, A.,

I had mastitis when my baby was around a month old, so I know what you're going through. I found that the following helped me:

1) Massage during showers AND while feeding my baby
*When massaging in the shower, I would lean over forward so the ducts under my breast could empty a bit - they can easily get clogged under there because of their position and the pressure put on the underside of you breast because of gravity
2) Changing feeding positions frequently (cradle, football hold, lying down)
3) Allowing baby to feed as long as she wants on the first breast, and then burping and offering the second breast.
4) Try to feed a little more frequently on the plugged duct breast

I hope some of those will help you!

Chrissy

I had a similar problem, feed the baby on the breast that is not plugged and at the same time pump the plugged one. Then when the baby is ready to eat again in a few hours let hubby try with a sippy cup or bottle and the milk you pumped. In my case the suction with out the suckling worked to clear the duct. with a little pain....

Good Luck!

A.,
Hello! I too had this problem brewing and my lactation consultant suggested I take Lethison (sp?) found at the local Natural food store. Its a tablet that helps thin your milk a little so that it is not so thick, with no harm to your milk or baby. I took it every day for a week, then I took it every other day, and then only when I noticed my milk start to "clump" when I sat pumping. It is completely safe, because I donated my milk to the Denver Milk bank, and they said it was safe for re-distribution. Hope this helps!

Did the blocked ducts start about the time you switched to just one breast per feeding? You may want to go back to using both at each feeding-- always starting with the blocked one first. You may also want to look into getting a pump so that you can express milk and get the flow going even when your baby isn't interested in eating. When I had blocked ducts they usually cleared up after several days with the more frequent pumping and the massage. If you start getting weakness, chills, and aches make sure you call your doctor because those are signs of infected ducts (not fun). Sorry I can't offer more advice, but hope this helps a little!

I had problems with clogging too. It turned into mastitis for me because I couldn't get rid of it doing the techniques you are doing. A friend who had 2 kids and had problems as well told me to make a really hot bath and lay stomach down in it. After a few minutes squeeze and massage your breasts like you are trying to get milk out of it, especially over the lumpy areas. Keep doing this until your breast is drained. You will be able to watch the milk come out and the hot bath takes away the pain. Plus it is relaxing. Once I fixed it the first time, everytime I felt it getting a little clogged again I would take the bath again. I never had a problem again. Hope this helps.

Hi there,
I had this problem too, with one breast. It turned out the nursing bra I was using was the wrong one for my body. I had one that had an underwire, which I liked for the support, but for some reason it made me have problems with a plugged duct. After I switched bras, the problem went away.
Hope you can get this figured out!
Good luck!

Not to be strange but I read and then my doctor told me to...here it comes...put a cabbage leave inside your bra right against the breast. I thought it was NUTS when my doctor told me to do that. I don't even remember exactly WHY it is supposed to work...just remember that it did. Felt really weird at first because it's a cold piece of cabbage but after it's in there a while is feels less gross and actually feels better and unclogged the duct. Anytime I would have that problem I would do that and no more clogged ducts. My mom and sister made fun of me though...they kept bringing up my "boobage" as we called it. Research it on the net...I am sure you could find a bunch of info as to why it works and how long to do it. Happy boobage!!

A. - I used to get those all the time. The warm compress helped, but I also took several 1000 mg of vitamin c and that seemed to help keep them from coming back. Also if you get in a hot shower and massage it out it helps too. Keep it up even though it's painful, it seems to get better the older your baby gets.

I too suffered from many plugged ducts turned mastitis. I found that hot compresses, and massage (especially in a hot shower) works the best to unplug the duct. It can be a little painful to really massage a sore plugged duct but full pressure massage toward the nipple in a hot shower should eventually get it unplugged. Have your baby nurse as much as possible on the plugged side but don't ignore the other breast. You can even pump if you have to. Also, if you use herbs at all, start taking Echinecea tincture 4-5 times per day at the onset of a plugged duct to avoid infection. Drink a lot of water and rest as well. I never found a good reason to why I got so many breast infections or plugged ducts. I believe I am just prone to them. Good luck!

try a warm/hot moist towel on your breast before you feed to help with the let down. feed her til she's done then pump the rest, massage where it is clogged while you are pumping. then pump the other side so that you can keep up your milk supply. this worked for me. on a side note the milk will keep in a fridge for 3 days and in a regular freezer for 3 months and in a deep freeze for 6 months. if you don't bottle feed (which I did then didn't..long story there) you can donate the milk. hope everything works out for you!

You have gotten great advice. The best is as mentioned, heat and massage. Breast feed like normal, and then pump the rest with a pump. In times past, if I got clogged and even the pump wasn't working, I let my husband at it. He would massage and nurse that one side for me. He usually could get a clogged duct that had been clogged for a while, unclogged in a matter of a few "sessions". I don't know if your comfortable doing this. But by #3 baby, If I couldn't get myself unclogged with in 2 or 3 days, I got my husband involved and it was taken care of usually within 20 minutes. With baby #4, the baby was in the NICU for 3 weeks, I was not allowed to nurse him, so I finally bought a nice Medela pump. I was having a hard time getting my milk to come in, in one of my breasts, so after about a week of trying, I finally let my husband nurse it, and with in 5 min. he had my milk coming in. Good luck. They are not fun!

In addition to the heat compress, pump the breast that your baby is not eating from. When you are in the shower, let the hot water hit your breasts. Take a bar of hard soap and use it to "squeeze" the clog out, starting above the clot and moving toward your nipple. This is uncomfortable, but helped me a few times. Pumping and nursing are your best bets, though.

If you continue to have problems, contact a lactation specialist at the hospital where you delivered, and ask for some help. They usually have lots of great tips.

Hi A.!
I had problems with plugged ducts a few months ago as well. A friend of mine recommended the Mastitis Remedy from Wishgarden Herbs. It is a homeopathic remedy that I absolutely love! I tried everything that the books said, and got no results, but within a few hours of taking the Mastitis Remedy, everything was all cleared up! I found it at Vitamin Cottage, if you don't have one nearby, let me know and I can order some for you.
I hope you find relief soon!
H. Gaitten
www.naturalchoices4baby.com

Hi my name is A., and I had major issues with clogged ducts in the first few weeks of my babies life. I suggest every day when your in the shower letting hot water spray on the breast until the tissue is pretty warm. Then firmly press on the clogged duct, it will start spraying and you want to press until it stops spraying. If you need to take a break do, because this can be painful. If that doesn't work try pumping what is left in the breast after your baby has eaten. Good luck!

I used to get this problem regularly (I'm now nursing my fifth child, and I got plugged milk ducts leading to mastitis with the first three); none of the conventional advice worked for me, either. What finally helped me was ice packs - keep feeding the baby on both sides, just ice in between feedings, to reduce inflammation, and it feels much better and (for me) resolves itself.

A.,

You have received a lot of great advice. I would highly second contacting a La Leche League leader in your area. They are a great resource. In addition to being very educated about breastfeeding, they have also all nursed their own babies, so they have personal experience that can help.

I wanted to say one thing about the cabbage leaf suggestions that was offered. Cabbage leaves release a chemical that reduces milk production, which is why they are recommended when weaning. It will help relieve engorgement, and it might help in this situation, but if you have low milk supply, cabbage leaves might not be a good solution for you. You may find that they decrease your milk supply below what your baby needs.

One thing that has not been mentioned - take your baby to bed with you and nurse her as often as you can for at least 24 hours. The nursing will clear the duct, and you need plenty of rest to keep this from turning into mastitis. Lots of skin-to-skin contact will encourage her to nurse often, so if you can keep her in just a diaper and keep your shirt off, that would be ideal. I did this when I got mastitis with my first, and it worked like a dream. No antibiotics, and I went from an extreme infection (fever near 105) to just fine in a couple days. Also, do you have a sling? If so, you can carry your baby in the sling, her in just a diaper and you without a shirt, or with a button-down shirt either open, or buttoned around the baby.

I know it hurts to nurse on the plugged side, but you really need to offer her that breast. If you don't clear the plug out, you are likely to wind up with mastitis, a breast infection. I wouldn't try to force it, but offer her the plugged breast first. (My second baby has a breast preference too. It's annoying, but I usually offer her the less desired breast first. After she has latched off a couple times, I let her switch over.)

Another thing that I have heard recommended is to take a blunt, wide-toothed comb. Set the tooth of the comb against your breast where the plug is and "comb" down your breast towards the nipple. You will probably have to apply some good pressure. And before any treatments (pumping or massage) be sure to soak your breast in warm water or use a warm pack on it to loosen up the milk.

Best of luck,
S.

It's nice that you have gotten so many responses! I wasn't able to read all of them so hopefully I'm not repeating anything. With my first one I had all kinds of problems with breastfeeding. I ended up calling a La Leche League member and she helped me out so much. It sounds funny but she said to get a pump, lean over 90 degrees and pump. It really worked for me. If a pump doesn't work she said to nurse the baby that way. Hopefully this will help you.

What is different in the last month? Is the baby eating more? Eating less? Are you supplementing the feeding? I found that moist heat and continued nursing on both breats usually took care of the clogged duct. I also tried expressing the milk myself to relieve the problem with a pump, it really is a relief. Just hang in there. I really think that just feeding from one breast is a mistake. Sometimes the milk doesn't taste as good from the clogged side as it does from the other side, so pumping that out will make it taste better to the baby too.

NEW THOUGHT... I heard that if you position the babies chin in the area of the plugged duct when she nurses the action of the chin will help massage the duct a bit. I tried it, it did seem to help, it will definately lead to some strange upside down type positions but by that time I was willing to try it.

INITIAL RESPONSE: I had a few plugged ducts and they are not fun. I definately had emotional breakdowns when I got them. I'd try feeding on both sides. You can try 5 min on one side, 10 min on the second, then take the baby back to the first. I found that baby does a much better job than a pump and some babies are fast nursers and can get full on one side (my baby would) so switching after 5 min helps you unload some milk and helps baby learn to eat on both sides. Once baby's full if you don't feel empty or you want to try to empty yourself, pump. Also you can go to a Vitamin Cottage or health store and look for "WishGarden" brand and you'll see that they have drops for Mastitus. I used it a few times when I got a plugged ducts but they never did progress to Mastitus and it helped.

This just happened to me. I didn't realize I had a plugged duct. I just noticed that one breast was larger than the other and wouldn't empty, regardless if I pumped or not. It ended up turning into Mastitis, which isn't very fun. What the doctor told me is to switch positions each time you nurse, that way the baby empties the breast from different ways. Also, moist heat and lots of massage should work. You want to start nursing from that side as well and let the baby nurse for as long as she wants. I just started taking antibiotics yesterday and applying heat and massage and I already feel so much better. GOOD LUCK!!!!

I had this problem a couple of times when I was nursing my twins, and I tried a number of things, and really something different worked each time. What seemed most effective was massage in a warm shower. Sounds weird, but it's a good combo of the moist heat and massage. I also used my breast pump more frequently in an effort to unclog the duct. I would try pumping or feeding right after that shower to see it is helps. And I think it is better to offer each breast at each feeding so that you are not lopsided. It may also help against clogging. Good luck.

I have had this problem multiple times. I have also had good success after reading around the internet. If it's not too persistent, a very hot water compress before feedings has cleared it up in 2-3 feedings. I get a washcloth saturated with hot water, then put it over my breast with a dry towel over it to keep in the heat, then feed the baby right after. I have not had this problem for over a month, I believe an important key to prevention is regular feedings and drinking TONS OF WATER. If it is more persistent, instead of a hot compress, hang your breast in a bowl of hot water with epsom salts for a few minutes before feedings, express some milk while it's in the hot water to get the milk flowing. Repeat this until the lumps are gone.

Again, the keys:
Drink TONS OF WATER
Get plenty of rest
Use hot washcloth compresses before feedings.

Good luck A.!

A.,
Seriously I had about the worst cases of plugged ducts any lactation specialist had ever seen!!! The lactation specialists had no idea what to do either. I was pumping exclusively because I had preemie twins that couldn't nurse and it sucked really, really bad. I had a hospital grade pump and I would get clogged so badly that even turning that pump on on the highest setting wouldn't even work. But, a few things that did work after quite a while of working at it was changing positions while I pumped. For example, laying on either side, getting up on all fours and letting gravity work, laying on my back, you name it I did it. I finally had a specialist poke it with a sterile needle, and I did it myself a few times but even that didn't work sometimes. Heating the breast and taking hot showers none of that worked for me, the problem was always too advanced for that. I honestly don't know what got me through that time of life, I was getting clogged almost everyday by the time I quit and it was both breasts. The problem I had was I had an enormous milk supply and they think that my milk was pretty thick too. Anyhow, I really feel your pain trust me just try all these ideas that these people are suggesting and something should work. I really wished I would of had something like this to read when I was going through it. This whole thing scared me enough that I won't ever do any kind of breastfeeding or pumping again, it was an awful experience for me! Good luck!!!!

I have found that putting 1/4C. epsom salts in a plastic container (large enough to accomodate one breast and about 6" deep). Add enough hot water to dissolve the salts and then immerse your breast, when it's cooled off enough but as warm as you can tolerate it) and let it soak for at least 10 minutes before you're ready to nurse your baby but first wash the breast in warm water to remove the salts as it's very bitter tasting!!
The epsom salts will help dilate the milk ducts so the milk and the thicker stuff will be easier to get out. I also used to use an ace bandage to hold a heating pad on my breast with a long extension cord attached so I could fix dinner, etc. and still have consistent heat on it. Also, remember that you need to cut back on activities and rest more so you don't get a breast infection.

I have this happen at least once a week. Mine is caused by working full time and pumping. My baby eats the same amount at each feeding at day care, but not at home when nursing with mom. So I produce a lot after a weekend at home.

Here's what works *for me*
I pump until I'm "empty" (the breast is never really empty) but I pump until I get some relief. If it's sore, I use a thermacare patch on the spot where my duct is plugged or where it's hard and hurts. I use the type designed to go against the skin (I think I am using the one desidned for menstral pain because it has sticky along the entire back of the patch). I wear these to work, 8 hours, when I have had trouble over the night.

I will stand in a shower, as hot as I can stand it, and just wait until it stops hurting. UGH. It DOES hurt. Terribly.

I think the thing that helps the most is the pumping. If you don't have an electric pump, the pumping might not work as well for you, but it's the best thing I know of to help with the pain.

If you want ice that's not too cold, use a blue gel ice pack on the outside of your bra. Then you have some protection against your skin!!

Nurse as often as possible, and you can switch feed. When you are feeding on the breast that is not plugged, put a towel or a diaper under the breast that is plugged and while the baby nurses, apply a warm towel and massage your breast from the top down to the nipple and really work at it, if it still is feeling horrible, take some advil and pump. Get lots of sleep and relax, it will get better with some patience and alot of nursing. I was prone to plugged ducts in my left boob alot and figured out that if I let that breast leak into a breast pad/diaper cloth every time I nursed the other breast it kept me comfortabel and I also figured out how to massage it out with a very firm pressure and it has kept me well! Good luck!

You might just have to pump the bejezzus out of that breast. I once sat up for two hours in the middle of the night hooked up to the pump - by the next nursing it was resolved. This happened several times, and that's always how I resolved it. The pumping didn't actually do it, but the pumping and then the next nursing. And, I always fed on one side per feeding.

Use a variety of positions when you nurse your baby so that her suction can help to clear out all the ducts. When a duct is starting to feel clogged you want to put her on the breast such that her chin points to the clogged spot.

See this article for more good info:
http://www.bflrc.com/newman/breastfeeding/mastitis.htm

Check in with a lactation consultant, their help can be invaluable. Try Julie Johnson in SL.

I have had the same experience and what really worked for me was to change nursing postitions on the breast that has the plugged milk duct. If the duct is on the outside of your breast (under your arm pit), you could try the football hold. I read a resource that said to point the baby's chin towards the plugged duct.

I know it's hard, but the first thing to do is relax! (i hate it when people tell ME that!) I had several plugged ducts and after a couple we realized that it had been brought on by stressful conversations with my mother. If possible turn off the phone, go to bed with the baby, nap, drink some tea, read novels just hang out nursing as much as you can, take a warm shower or bath. Call your doctor if you start to get a fever because that could be mastitis which is really no fun. Hang in there!

after glancing at everyone else's great advice I remembered that the baby's suck is strongest at the top of their mouth so. . . get ready for "trick nursing". . . if you can position the baby's nose towards plugged side it may help. She may be lying on top of your shoulder or whatever.

Hang in there! It's really worth it. Feeding in different positions, combined with the moist heat and massaging worked for me. If you can try to switch positions every time your baby feeds from that side it should help. And trying to express the milk from that area with your hand can be really helpful, as well. Can you call the lactation consultants from your hospital and set an appointment? It's usually free, and they are very helpful and knowledgeable.

My instinct is to tell you to drink LOTS OF WATER.

I don't remember having any clogged ducts, but any time I had trouble nursing (besides my baby girl who had a terrible time latching on the whole year) I made a point to drink twice as much water as I had been. It worked through my son's jaundice ( I didn't have to use formula), it worked through my daughter's fevers, which caused her to eat less, it worked through teething on both kids, and through the transition into solids. It also worked to relieve some of their gassy-ness.

Get a really good breast pump to make sure that the breast that keeps getting plugged gets completely drained every two hours without the risk of plugging the other breast. You can rent one from the hospital that should work miracles. You can even pump one breast while you nurse on the other side. You can cut holes in a bra to hold the pump in place on your breast so you don't have to hold it with one of your hands while you nurse.

A.,
This is going to sound weird, but put a cold cabbage leaf on your breast for about 30minutes several times a day. Do it when you feel a plugged duct coming on or when you already have one. It even helps with mastitis. Good luck!

if it doesn't get better, you may need to see your doctor cause it may be a bigger problem then you think. You said you tried the moist heat thing, have you tried it right before feeding? Also, using different positions while feeding is a big help too, it allows suction from different angles.

Hi A.,
I ended up nursing my daughter from ONE breast only for the last 7 (yes, SEVEN) months that I nursed! People seemed so surprised by this but it totally worked great, I had tons of milk, my other breast dried up and she had always preferred the one side anyway. My pediatrician said it was totally normal. Yes, yes, I was a little lopsided for awhile but I bought a nice padded bra and no one knew the difference-ha. Good luck!

I am so sorry to hear that i had the same thing happen with my other 3 children and very badly with my 3rd. i used a breast pump and pumped after i nursed, so that i could get all of the milk out, the lactation specialist that is at our hospital helped me find a way to hold my baby so that she would nurse and put pressure on that duct to open it. it took a long time to get it all sorted out and yes, ouch. You may contact the La leche league and see if there is someone close to you that can help or your hospital most likely has a lactation specialist, our hospital has someone, that is free of charge. i wish i had bought a good Medela breast pump with my first baby, and i am expecting my 4th and last in September and i am investing in one this time. Hope all goes well.

When I had that problem, I went in to the Dr. to find out what to do and he took a needle and put it into the duct and it sucked out the milk and I was fine. Sometimes you need a little help. It didn't hurt either. I would not suggest feeding on one breast. I've been favoring the right side with my last child and it is about twice the size of the left. I am trying to introduce the left side everytime he feeds now, so they can get back to being the same size, but it is difficult. The right side produces a lot more milk. It is definately best to have your baby feed on both sides equally. Good luck!

I used to get them more often because I exclusively pumped breastmilk for my daughter for 10 months. She just wouldn't nurse!

Anyway, I know it's frustrating, but the moist heat really works (just takes a while). I bought a heating pad that had the moist heat pad inside that you could get wet. That worked better than standing in the shower. I also pumped more often - like every 2 hours instead of every four hours. I didn't get a lot of milk, but I massaged the area the whole time the pump was going. It was tender and sometimes really hurt, but the more I massaged and squeezed the breast to try to get out all the milk, the faster it cleared up. You may try to pump in between feedings to help with the duct. You can pump manually or you can get a pump (borrow one from a friend) - the pump parts for pumping aren't that much money - far cheaper than a new pump! :)

Good luck... sorry you are having this issue. It hurts!

I had the same problem myself with the same breast every time! One thing that helped me was to take a warm shower and lean down and rub the area that is affaected down toward the nipple. Also I would absolutely feed the baby on the affected side! The baby will help clear that puppy! Keep it up! The first months of nursing there is so much milk produced and it will get easier! Stick with it! It is toally worth it!

Hi A.,

This may be too late to be useful, but the hot water idea is very beneficial. Everything I've read was helpful to me as well. Two additional things:

I found it to be difficult to get into the shower for the amount of time it takes to fully help the breast, though. A solution I found was to get a big bowl of hot water and sit it on a counter that is of a good height for me to lean over and put the affected breast in. This way I could soak the breast several times a day, with gravity's assistance, without going through the hassle of undressing and redressing, and I could soak it all the way around, rather that just having the water run on top of the breast, which often wasn't where the plug was. It's very helpful to massage the breast while you're doing this. I also found my late night soaks in the tub to be helpful. I'd lean over and soak the breast, sit up and massage it, and repeat over and over - I'd make my own milk bath! :) Eventually the plug would come out - I'd know it came out because there would be a big release and new flow and relief of pressure in that spot - sometimes there is a hardened white spot on the nipple that comes to the surface - that is the plug - and when it finally loosens, all the milk behind it shoots forth - it's quite a spectacle. Sometimes there can be several of these plugs, so you may need to repeat the soak and massage cycle until you finally feel it to be helping.

One more thing I found helpful, and this was more in the prevention of recurring plugged ducts - I was also single sided nursing. I found that when I had a letdown in the breast that wasn't being nursed on, I needed to NOT stop the letdown - that might mean getting a towel or diaper, but letting the milk from the letdown flow out. Of course I couldn't do this while nursing in public, but whenever I was at home, especially if I felt I was getting a warm spot, was what finally turned the tide on my not getting plugged ducts.

Some people say lecithin works - for me it didn't, but it's another idea - you can get it at the store in the supplements section.

I hope you're doing better. Hang in there. Plugged ducts are painful and annoying, but you can get through them and will find your own plan of action for dealing with them. Thank goodness I didn't give up - my son and I still enjoy our nursing relationship greatly - at 17 months. You don't have to nurse that long, but I wanted to give you a ray of light in case you're still struggling with this. Good luck!

H.

I also had a blocked duct so i know how painful and frustrating it can be. It stayed blocked for about a month or 2 but what the doc. told me to do was apply moist heat before i was going to feed her. And always have her eat from the blocked breast first. The sucking from the baby will really help. And if she didn't drink alot from that side i would pump as much as i could from that side after she was all done eating. Like i said it took a long time to get it under control but once it cleared up i was able to nurse her until she was 12 months.